The Charlotte events calendar features free and cheap things to do every day. Think there's nothing to do? Look at this list of Charlotte events to get some ideas. You'll find festivals, free food, music, kids' activities and much more.
Click each title to see more information about the event or deal. You can also view the whole month (click "By Month") or see a specific date (click By Day).
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Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in one of these more specific calendars:
Friday, September 19, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Friday Morning Hike | 9:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Latta Nature Preserve |
| Free Birding Walks on trails of Stowe Conservancy | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 9:00 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Oktoberfest at Gilde Brewery | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gilde Brewery |
| MØHØBERFEST | 11:00 am | FREE | Traust Brewing Company, Mount Holly |
| Mecktoberfest at OMB LoSo | 11:00 am to 11:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Now That's What I Call Fridays! | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Festival in the Park | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Freedom Park |
| Food Truck Friday | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood |
| Free beginning knitting class (must register and buy materials in the store) | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Editions — Coffee and Bookstore (Kannapolis) |
| University City Food Truck Friday | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| LoSo Studios: David "Shrink" Boyle Solo Show | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | LoSo Studios |
| Evening Stroll and Fire | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| Free Summer Concert Series at Field Day Park at Lake Wylie: 50 Year Rebellion | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Field Day Park, Clover, SC |
| Live Under the Oaks music series | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Hot Glass Alley's Open Demo | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hot Glass Alley |
| Friday Nights at Camp North End | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| South End Food Truck Friday | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Food Truck Friday at the Fountain in Rock Hill | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Fountain Park, Rock Hill |
| Live Music: Chris Vercauteren | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Women of the World -- Giant Puppet Pop-Up at Festival in the Park | 6:30 pm | FREE | Freedom Park |
| Movies on the Lawn: LEGO Batman Movie | 6:30 pm | FREE | Johnston YMCA |
| Live music: Summit All Stars | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Summit Coffee, Basecamp, Davidson |
| Friday Night Live Music at Confluence | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Confluence, Cramerton |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $12) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Friday Night Live Music | 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Outdoor Movie Night at Triple C | 7:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| The Comedy Market: Open Mic | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Common Market South End |
| Big O Bingo Night | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Sugar Creek Brewing |
| Brews & Views | 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
Saturday, September 20, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Queso Day at Moe’s Southwest Grill | All Day | FREE | Moe’s Southwest Grill, participating locations |
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Flow Fest | 7:30 am to 9:30 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Pilates in the Park at Prosperity Village | 8:00 am to 9:00 am | FREE | The Green at Prosperity Village |
| Cars and Coffee Concord | 8:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Free paper shredding with Mecklenburg County (must reserve a time slot) | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Compost Central and Recycling Center |
| Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Community Book Sale | 9:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Mountain Island Library |
| Help with Rail Trail Clean-Up and get a free drink | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | New Bern Light Rail Station |
| Charlotte Monarch Celebration | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids Workshop: Football Spirit Board | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| Harrisburg Multicultural Festival | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Harrisburg Park |
| Festival in the Park | 10:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Freedom Park |
| Historic Matthews Cemetery Tour | 10:00 am | FREE | Historic Matthews Cemetery |
| Charlotte Doodle Meetup | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | $5.00 | Skiptown |
| Saturday Morning Yoga | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | $5.00 | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| Visit Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society & Museum |
| Mini Pop-Up Art Market at Native American Studies Center in Lancaster, SC | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Native American Studies Center, Lancaster, SC |
| Free Yoga | 10:00 am | FREE | Sycamore Brewing |
| Roots to Rise: Healing Experience | 10:00 am | FREE | Levine Avenue of the Arts |
| Paddockpalooza: Artisan market at Hinds' Feet Farm, which serves people with brain injuries | 10:30 am to 4:30 pm | FREE | Hinds’ Feet Farm, Huntersville |
| Outlaw Acres -- Immersive Western-Themed Fall Attraction | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | $15.00 | Outlaw Acres, Monroe |
| BeerFest | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Bard at the Barn: Free outdoor, family-friendly performance of The Tempest | 11:00 am | FREE | The Barn at MoRA |
| Oktoberfest at Gilde Brewery | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gilde Brewery |
| Mecktoberfest at OMB LoSo | 11:00 am to 11:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| People of the World: India | 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm | FREE | International House |
| 36th Street Market | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | The Chamber by Wooden Robot (NoDa) |
| 34th Latin American Festival | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| 29th Festival of India -- Day 1 | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $0-6.00 | Belk Theater |
| Ciao Italia Matthews | 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Stumptown Park, Matthews | |
| Oktoberfest at Carolina Beer Temple | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Carolina Beer Temple-Matthews |
| Ramble On Music Festival | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | 405 S Main Street, Davidson |
| Lost Worlds Cornelius Oktoberfest | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| King Canary Oktoberfest | 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | King Canary Brewing, Mooresville |
| Maker's Market CLT at Burial Beer Co. | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Burial Beer Co., Charlotte |
| Whimsical Nature Crafts | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| Family Day at Cabarrus Arts Council, including free performance | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | The Galleries at Cabarrus Arts Council |
| Starving Artist Market at Prosperity Village | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Docia Crossing Road |
| Queen City Cultural Festival | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Blush CLT |
| A Vibe Called Fresh: Westside Festival with DJ Showdown, Skating, more... | 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | West Complex |
| Syctoberfest | 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Sycamore Brewing |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Women of the World -- Giant Puppet Pop-Up at Festival in the Park | 1:30 pm | FREE | Freedom Park |
| Hopfly Bike and Brew | 1:30 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Free recycling class for kids | 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Shakedown Hike | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| Free Indie on Wheels -- American Coup: Wilmington 1898 | 2:00 pm | FREE | Goodyear Arts |
| Pickin' on the Porch -- free acoustic music series at Stowe Conservancy Trailhead Store | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Trailhead Store at Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont |
| Maker's Market CLT at Primal Brewery Huntersville | 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Bilingual Concert by Café Amaretto | 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Matthews Library |
| Folk & Fable Artisan Market | 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing, Gastonia |
| McColl Center: The Long Exposure opening celebration | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | McColl Center for Art + Innovation | |
| Live Music: Mountain Standard Band | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| Independencia de Costa Rica | 4:00 pm | FREE | Camino Community Center |
| Lake Norman Empowerment Festival | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Smithville Park, Cornelius |
| Live Music: Mariah Van Kleef | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Muddy River Distillery, Mount Holly |
| Live Music: Cory Threatt | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Live Music: Act Two Music | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Live Music: Cory Threatt | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Charlotte (Metropolitan) |
| Live Music: Cory Threatt | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Charlotte (Metropolitan) |
| Women of the World -- Giant Puppet Pop-Up at Latin American Festival | 6:00 pm | FREE | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| Music and Brews in Mint Hill | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park |
| Live Music: Bullfrog Moon | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Live music: Woodies Roundup | 6:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Live Music | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Live Music | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Live music | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Summit Coffee, Basecamp, Davidson |
| Night Market | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Beer Lab by Ghostface Brewing |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $12) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Movies in the Park: Shrek | 7:15 pm | FREE | Wilmore Centennial Park at South End |
| Belmont Movies in the Park: Tangled | 7:30 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
Sunday, September 21, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Festival in the Park | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Freedom Park |
| Sunday Fundays | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | Discounted | Gilde Brewery |
| Free Health Clinic | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Hindu Center of Charlotte |
| Inner Child Play Day with Dancing Lotus Yoga Arts | 10:30 am | FREE | The Green |
| Neighborhood Cleanup | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Pilot Brewing |
| QC Fitness Games | 11:00 am to 12:15 pm | $5.00 | Pearl Street Park |
| Free Figure Drawing | 11:00 am to 1:30 pm | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Mecktoberfest at OMB LoSo | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Oktoberfest at Gilde Brewery | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gilde Brewery |
| Bard at the Barn: Free outdoor, family-friendly performance of The Tempest | 11:00 am | FREE | The Barn at MoRA |
| Outlaw Acres -- Immersive Western-Themed Fall Attraction | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | $15.00 | Outlaw Acres, Monroe |
| 29th Festival of India -- Day 2 | 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| Ciao Italia Matthews | 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Stumptown Park, Matthews | |
| Fall Storytime and Craft | 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| Best of Charlotte Bridal Show | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| Classic Cruisers of Monroe Cruise-In | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Poplin Place Shopping Center, Monroe |
| Live Music: Grateful Dudes | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| Craft Music -- Workshop and Showcase from Charlotte New Music: Music Composition | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Mallard Creek Recreation Center |
| Browns Watch Party | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Africa is LIVE! Day | 1:00 pm | FREE | Levine Avenue of the Arts |
| Something Brewing: Fusion Jam Sessions | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Town Brewing |
| Shakedown Sundays | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Queen City Cultural Festival | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Blush CLT |
| Closing Celebration for Collidoscope at Mint Museum -- meet the artists | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Uptown |
| Free Tour at Torance House & Store | 2:00 pm | FREE | Hugh Torance House & Store |
| Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Compare Foods, W. Arrowood | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Compare Foods, W. Arrowood Road |
| Independencia de Nicaragua | 4:00 pm | FREE | Charlotte Museum of History |
| Appalachian Folk Tunes by Old Time Band | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Petty Thieves Brewing Co. |
| Soul Sundays (free, but donations accepted) | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Women of the World -- Giant Puppet Pop-Up at Festival of India (Ballantyne) | 5:00 pm | FREE | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
Monday, September 22, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Registration for TreesCharlotte tree adoption opening season event | 10:00 am | FREE | Virtual |
| Teacher Appreciation Night: 20% off tabs for teachers, faculty, staff | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Pilot Brewing |
| Open Mic Night | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Town Brewing |
| September Open Mic Night | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Charlotte (Metropolitan) |
| Sports Trivia | 7:00 pm | FREE | Vaulted Oak Brewing |
| Karaoke at Starlight on 22nd | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Charlotte Contra Dancers: Students dance free in September | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $0-15.00 | Mecklenburg Shrine Club |
| Open Mic Night | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Homeschool Day at Outlaw Acres -- Immersive Western-Themed Fall Attraction | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | $15.00 | Outlaw Acres, Monroe |
| Library Mobile Food Pantry with Hope Street Food Pantry (click to see location each week) | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| ArchWell Health: Cake-a-Licious Tasting | 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Archwell Health North Graham Street |
| MODA Digital Arts Open Studio Oasis (pre-registration required) | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Public Lands Day -- Hike and Craft | 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| Bring your own mug (any size) and get it filled for $6 | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | $6.00 | Sugar Creek Brewing |
| Family Bingo Night at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in Concord | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers — Concord |
| Bring Your Own Vinyl Night | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| Hike For Your Health | 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| BYO Craft Night | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | NoDa Brewing North End |
| Be Well Birkdale: Free workout series | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Social Paddle Club | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | King Canary Brewing, Mooresville |
| Dart League | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Dart League at Primal Belmont | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Name the Music at Wobbly Butt Tap Room & Eatery | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Victory Lanes, Mooresville |
| Comedy Open Mic at Starlight on 22nd | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
